WSBK Introduces Combined Weight, Fuel Flow Limit and More for 2024 and Beyond

SBK is a balance-of-performance formula so I don't think much will change for fans, but these changes are revolutionary for the teams and sanctioning body.

The combined weight limit is not popular, but it was also inevitable since the governing body strictly controls bike power to improve parity. People will call it the anti-Bautista rule, but the only thing Alvaro has done is reveal that the sanctioning body was wrong to omit this critical aspect of BoP. Despite ratifying the combined minimum weight, it looks like Ducati achieved a small victory by forcing the SBKC to ratify new rev limit rules. During the season, the sanctioning body cannot revise rev limits downward unless they are adjusting super concessions for an underperforming team.

The fuel flow limits are perhaps the most interesting change in sanctioning technique in motorcycling's recent history. During 2024 the GPC will monitor fuel flow, and then impose limits for the 2025 season. Fuel tanks will also shrink to 21L. This is probably nothing more than the SBKC trying to acquire greater control over bike performance to improve the efficacy of BoP. Throttle-by-wire gives the governing body control of the airflow. If they gain control over the fuel flow, BoP is a done deal. Much harder to game the system and squeeze more power from the engine. This might also explain why the commission was willing to give up rev limit adjustments during the season. Unclear whether the national series will follow suit. Fuel flow limiting is just another expense for national series. Unless the fuel flow regs come with some sort of cost-saving perk, like lower power output and much longer service intervals.

I'm hoping (but not getting my hopes up) that Dorna can develop fuel flow restrictions in SBK and bring them to MotoGP. I'm not getting my hopes up because the MSMA don't seem interested in developing internal combustion engines, which means bore limits, cylinder limits, and the rest of it are probably here to stay. Therefore, a fuel flow limit in GP would probably be nothing more than a switch to turn down the power in MotoGP and destress the engines to cut costs from 2027 and beyond. Sounds lame, but it could make a huge impact on the sport, if they control fuel by rpm level. That would eliminate a lot of the excess torque that makes ride height devices so useful.

We'll see what happens. If the GPC dial back the power too much, the 1000s will be unspectacular. Reducing capacity could help raise the rev ceiling. That goes for SBK as well.

DavidSim said:

I wonder how long it will be before the combined weight limit is implemented in MotoGP, some of the smaller riders seem to have an advantage lately (i.e., Pedrosa with his stunning appearance earlier this year, and Martin who currently is on a roll).

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It could be inevitable. The GPC is slowly restricting engine design to improve parity, reduce costs, and control performance. As long as MotoGP still has free engine tuning and relatively free transmission gearing, I don't think combined min weight will be adopted, but Michelin might have other ideas.

I hope they do not adopt combined minimum weight because it would be unsafe, imo. These bikes are already incredibly heavy and powerful. Adding 10kg to Pedrosa's bike would make it even more of a missile in the even of a high speed crash. Weight is becoming and issue across all racing disciplines, with the exception of Moto3. Moto2 isn't doing too badly either. MotoGP bikes are out of control. They've put on nearly 30kg since the 2-stroke era.